Backyard and Outdoor Living

It’s my favourite time of year — spring, of course! Our gardens are now full of life and we can start to make the most of our outdoor spaces again. To celebrate, this issue Angie Thomas shares her five favourite spring flowers. When many people think

A richly illustrated and elegant volume showcasing beautifully designed stables by contemporary architects and designers the world over. From a ranch in the US and a Finnish farmstead to a Spanish hacienda and Australian outback home, Stables is a ce

Como Reimagined is the revitalisation of an iconic Melbourne heritage site. Australia’s preeminent garden designer, Paul Bangay, has been commissioned by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to revitalise the stunning garden of Melbourne’s most

I love burying my nose in a bunch of sweet peas. Their sweet fragrance is intoxicating. Whether you cover an entire fence with tall sweet peas, grow them up a tepee or fill a window box or hanging basket with dwarf varieties, they’re the perfect way

The best gardens — those that have enduring appeal and look as if they were meant to be — sit in harmony with the environment that surrounds them. They have a sense of place and look as if they evolved naturally rather than being contrived by man (or

This garden project holistically encompasses good design and is a mix of both traditional and contemporary styles. Daniel Rawson, design manager at Ian Barker Gardens, says the homeowners wanted to create a garden that paid homage to the home’s histo

Modern Hamptons gardens are reminiscent of English country style, subtly imbued with a little French flavour. It’s a style that ultimately embraces symmetry and order, but there’s also a softer side, with striking elements drawn from nature. Designer

It will hardly come as a revelation that we Aussies love spending time outdoors, especially in our at-home alfresco spaces. For some that will mean a family-sized backyard, but for many others the reality is more likely to be a courtyard at the rear

The key to a successful Australian native garden is to match your plant choices to your local soil and climate. Grow local selections (your local garden centre can advise) and understand their growing needs so you place them in their preferred positi

Probably the best advice to heed when growing rocket is “plant and stand back”. This fast-growing leafy annual is grown for its peppery leaves, which are delicious in salads, added to sandwiches or made into pesto. Also known as arugula (a name mainl

Each potato plant produces several kilograms of potatoes, so even one or two plants will provide enough for many family meals. Down the road from me is a huge potato field. All summer I watched the plants grow until they began to die back in autumn.

Make a cylinder using wire mesh or chicken wire and secure it to the ground with metal pegs, or place three tomato stakes inside to hold it in place. Line the bottom and a little way up the side with mulch or straw. Fill to about 20cm with a mix of s

The weather is getting warmer, it’s time to grab your towel, sunscreen and floaties and head out to your pool again. In Best Of this issue, we take a look at the latest pool furniture and accessories so you can swim in style. Now that the cold isn’t

Caesarstone’s Outdoor Collection takes the luxury and durability the brand is famous for and applies it to outdoor entertaining with three beautiful new UV-resistant quartz surface designs. Designed and tested by Caesarstone’s research and developmen

From security to accent lighting, spotlights to statement illumination, it ’s often tricky knowing what combination will be right for y our space. One option that will work in almost any setting is the solar -powered Tika lantern. A vailable at Cotsw

First designed as a limited-edition sculptural piece cast in heavy polyurethane resin, the David Shrigley Swan has been blown up. The “Ridiculous Inflatable Swan-Thing” is arguably an ugly duckling, devoid of the graceful curves a natural swan posses

New-look outdoor furniture is all about creating warm welcoming spaces you’ll want to enjoy with family and friends. There’s greater emphasis on sourcing quality furniture, beautiful fabrics and finishes, and improved design flexibility in furniture

For many families who juggle the demands of a busy lifestyle, it’s important to create go-to spaces at home where family members can refresh and recharge. Oliver Sizeland, founder and managing director of Growing Rooms Landscapes, says in this projec

In inner-city Alexandria in Sydney, the traditional model of high-density urban living has been given a do-over, with green spaces for all to enjoy. OCULUS Project senior landscape architect William Whitfeld says at Arkadia Apartments, there are thro

The geniuses at NASA’s Journal of Applied Physiology claim that “rebounding” exercise is up to 68 per cent more efficient than jogging. If it’s good enough for astronauts, it’s good enough for us! And turns out, it’s good enough for Oz Trampolines, t

The Pool Haus at Port Hacking is picture perfect. Designed by Vos Brothers, this was a DIY build by interior designer Shannon Vos. Featuring a bespoke underwater mural, the pool is like a piece of modern art, with everything around it chosen to compl

The past 18 months have seen an explosion in the demand for low-maintenance, functional outdoor spaces that can accommodate the needs of families who are spending more time at home. When creating these new spaces it is important to select the right t

The team at Shaderunner® Australia are currently experiencing their busiest year to date, and with distributors in every state, the Shaderunner® Retractable Shade System is fast becoming the market leader in retractable shading throughout Australia.

Designed for Australian conditions, DecoDeck combines the natural beauty of timber decking with the strength and durability of aluminium. A first in aluminium decking systems, DecoDeck replicates the form, feel and appearance of natural timber deckin

Hero plants in the garden will enhance a property just as a great artwork or statement furniture will boost your interiors. Incorporate a main signature plant into a garden design for maximum impact. A hero plant is the one that draws the eye and cap